PROGRAM ASSISTANT-PARENT ENGAGEMENT

Program Assistant - Parent Engagement

Under the direction of the Area Director, the Program Assistant- Parent Engagement position manages a wide range of projects and activities designed to implement an integrated multi-faceted parent engagement service delivery system.

Examples of essential duties:

• Work with program staff to implement the policies/procedures and practices designed to ensure compliance with the HS Performance Standards and Head Start Act and meet the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the Family and Community Engagement Framework by integrating family engagement strategies into all systems and program services;
• Responsible for coordinating family engagement services to children and families enrolled in the Head Start and Early Head Start program options;
• Plan, develop and deliver Family Engagement training for staff and parents;
• Collaborate with staff to promote parent engagement by helping to plan and implement parent meetings, workshops, parent conferences, training, and other activities that meet the needs and interests of families
• Plans and organizes family engagement outreach, programs and activities;
• Evaluates and develop trainings/workshops to help parents/families participate more effectively in school readiness activities;
• Confers effectively with appropriate site personnel, parents and community agencies to increase parent engagement;
• Prepares materials for parent engagement activities;
• Attends and assists with Area Parent Advisory Committees;
• Participates in professional development opportunities;
• Keeps abreast of development and research in the professional area of Parent Engagement;
• Facilitates or leads parent engagement activities;
• Coordinate, monitor and report all program data related to Parent Engagement;
• Develop and implement annual leadership training for Head Start/Early Head Start parents; track and monitor parent training requests;
• Encourage and partner with Head Start parents as they become and/or remain actively engaged in Head Start activities;
• Orients parents in the philosophy, policies, and practices of parent engagement in the Head Start Program;
• Promote and support engagement of parents/guardians in Parent Committees and Policy Council;
• Coordinates with grantee Specialists in arranging for experts in diverse subject matter to provide workshops and training sessions;
• Provide staff assistance to help plan, implement, evaluate and report on program activities;
• Assists in the development and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
• Updates resource materials when needed;
• Assists in pre-service and in-service trainings;
• Design family engagement activities to help families participate more effectively in improving their children's learning;
• Help staff and families develop strong partnerships and enhance communications;
• Maintains records of work activity and the family engagement resource office;
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Desired minimum qualifications:

• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to the Head Start program and the assigned areas of responsibility and expertise;
• Head Start Program Performance Standards and Head Start Act;
• NHA goals, objectives, policies and procedures;
• Child development theories/strategies, community resources and adult learning concepts;
• Computer, and related software programs;
• Ability to organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment; interpret, apply, explain and reach sound decisions in accordance with program regulations, policies and procedures;
• Instruct and train individuals in a group setting and one-on-one;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing; prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy and judgment in dealing with volunteers, parents and staff.
• Develop and implement program plans, organize work activities around multiple assignments and follow-up on assigned tasks;

Experience and training:

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities is through attaining an associate's degree in child development or closely related field or a minimum of three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience providing direct services to low income children and families of diverse cultural backgrounds and experience in the design, planning and implementation of parent engagement activities is required. A minimum of three (3) years' experience in a program that emphasizes the parent's role in the child's development; capability to communicate with persons from diverse backgrounds; prior experience with community based groups and/or parent groups are preferred. Experience as a trainer preferred.

Language skills:

Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public primarily in English; demonstrated skills in written and oral communication.

Mathematical skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Reasoning ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Physical and mental demands:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit or stand for long periods; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift or move up to fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental demands:

Required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data; information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform work on multiple, concurrent tasks and interact with program management, staff, volunteers, representatives of public agencies and community organizations and others encountered in the course of work.

Work environment:

The employee regularly works in an office environment for planning purposes and is expected to travel to conduct site visits to provide staff support at the center level. The noise level will vary by location.